Producers are helped with certification costs

Organic producers and handlers can now apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds, to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification.

“Many farmers have told us that cost was a barrier to their ability to get an organic certification,” said Tyler Radke, acting state executive director for the Wisconsin Farm Service Agency (FSA).

The program provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products, for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the USDA’s National Organic Program. Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent during 2021, and any subsequent program year.

Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made between Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021, including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage.

For 2021, producers will be reimbursed 50 percent of a certified operation’s allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $500 for each of the categories of crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling and state organic program fees.

Organic farmers and ranchers may apply through an FSA county office, or a participating state agency. Applications are due Nov. 1, and can be obtained by visiting usda.gov.

This funding will be complimented by an additional $20 million for organic and transitioning producers, through the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.